november '06

TRUCK-LITE ACQUIRES FLEXIBLE LAMPS

November 30, 2006 Falconer New York : It was announced today that Truck-Lite Co. Inc. of Falconer New York has purchased Flexible Lamps Ltd of Harlow, England. Marketing under the Rubbolite and FL brand names, Flexible Lamps is a major manufacturer of incandescent and LED lighting for the commercial vehicle market. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

In announcing the purchase, Managing Director of Flexible Lamps, Dennis Cunning, stated, “We are excited to be a part of the Truck-Lite family. Truck-Lite and Flexible Lamps have the same philosophy of providing well engineered, high quality products supported by excellent customer service. The synergies from our two companies will take this focus to a new level.”

Founded in 1924, Flexible Lamps has three manufacturing and distribution facilities in England and France . Major customers are Volvo, DaimlerChrysler, Scania, Ford, GM, Partco, and SDC. Company sales in 2005 were over $50 million US.

Brian Kupchella, President of Truck-Lite said, “The acquisition of Flexible Lamps allows us to continue to support our customers’ global sourcing requirements. Flexible Lamps’ strong relationships with customers in the heavy duty truck and trailer markets, their extensive distribution network across Europe, and wide brand recognition fits our continuing efforts to be the ‘See and Be Seen’ lighting supplier for the worldwide transportation industry.”

In addition to its corporate office, Flexible Lamps employs over 600 people in manufacturing locations in Harlow and Haverhill , England . Truck-Lite is headquartered in Falconer New York, with additional manufacturing facilities in Wellsboro, Coudersport, and McElhattan , Pennsylvania , as well as Birmingham England and Eisenach , Germany . Employing over 2,300 people, Truck-Lite is a major producer of signal lighting, forward lighting, wiring harnesses, mirrors, turn signal switches, and safety accessories to the heavy duty truck, trailer, and commercial vehicle industries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ROBERT IVES, V.P. MARKETING AT 1-800-562-5012 OR AT bives@truck-lite.com
october '06 Flexible Lamps Ltd (tradename Rubbolite) is delighted with its 3rd place award in the prestigous IAA Trailer Innovation of the Year Competition 2007, Hannover, on their first ever entry in the components category. The prize was awarded for their new Model 756 LED truck and trailer rear lamp.

European account manager Kathrin Aster commented:

“This award recognizes what a leap forward the Model 756 LED rear lamp is in transport technology. We’re very keen to expand our lighting system expertise further into European markets, and this is a tremendous vote of confidence in the ability of Flexible Lamps Ltd (Rubbolite) to produce complete vehicle lighting solutions.”
october '06 FL achieves National Training Award

Lynne Baker (Main Board Director HR & Strategies) and Janis Cording (Training and Development Manager) received the award from TV presenter Suzi Perry at the East of England finals held in the Guildhall, Cambridge on 17 October 2006 for exceptional achievement through training and development.

Staff at Flexible Lamps Ltd (tradename Rubbolite), have improved productivity and performance since introducing leaner working and continuous improvement into their business since 1999. Managing Director, Dennis Cunning and Lynne Baker stated ‘We are proud and delighted that the achievements and dedication of all staff has been recognised in this way. Their hard work is helping us to become the preferred supplier of commercial vehicle lighting.’
august '06

The Model 756 LED rear lamp was featured this month in well respected publication ‘Transport Engineer’. Flexible Lamps has for the first time entered this product in the prestigous IAA and Automechanika trailer innovation of the year competitions.

The new edition of the Flexible Lamps Ltd catalogue is now available, please to ask for a copy.

 
july '06
Flexible Lamps  is opening a new manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China, (near Shangai) primarily to service the growing Chinese market.

FL Wuxi is pleased to announce that it’s business licence has now been granted by the Chinese government. This entitles us to manufacture marker and interior lamps for export and domestic use. Wuxi is a huge industrial area of 4 million people and has it’s own airport, advanced infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce.
 
The new facility will be operational in the last quarter of this year.

 
april '06 CV show special:

Once again, Flexible Lamps range of lighting products will be on display on a vast range of customer vehicles at the CV show in Birmingham, including tractor, trailers, tankers, tippers, refrigerated vehicles etc.

In particular, we are launching the all new Model 756 LED rear lamp. This is the first trailer lamp to include every function in LED (even fog and reverse), and uses polycarbonate and aluminium extensively for durability. This revolutionary product will be seen on many trailers at the show.
march '06

Flexible Lamps announces the following changes to the Management Board.  

  • Steve Downey increases his area of responsibility to include Manufacturing to become the Divisional Director of Manufacturing and Quality.

  • Neill Groves is promoted to the position of Divisional Director of Sales and Marketing.

  • David Rowland, Divisional Director of Purchasing and Distribution will now include Direct Despatch as his area of responsibility.
february '06 February sees the launch of Flexible Lamps new website.  The new design makes it easier to navigate between pages with additional links now available in the red bar on the left. There have been further improvements to the contacts page along with the site location pages.